Electric organ



Jan. 13, 1942.

S. K. KETTERMAN ELECTRIC ORGAN Filed Feb. 17, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 www5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ELECTRIC ORGAN S. K. KETTERMAN Filed Feb. 17, 1941 iJan. 13, 1942.

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ELECTRIC ORGAN Filed Feb. 17, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 LOWER' UPPER 2HHG/STER REG/.STER

Jan. 13, 1942. s. K. KETTERMAN ELECTRIC ORGAN 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledFeb. 17, 1941 Jan. 13, 1942. s. K. KETTERMAN 2,269,942

ELECTRIC ORGAN Filed Feb. 17, 1941 5 Shee'ts--SheefI 5 Patented Jan. 13,1942 ELECTRIC ORGAN Sylvan K. Ketterman, Chicago, Ill., asslgnor toGulbransen Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation'of Illinois ApplicationFebruary 17, 1941, Serial No. 379,197

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to electric organs, and particularlyelectrically operated reed organs.

The reeds are enclosed in an enclosed chest to which wind under pressureis supplied by a blower. The reeds are located in passages in the cheststhrough which the wind passes on opening of valves controlling thepassages. The valves are operated by electromagnets in circuit with thekeyboard.

The electric circuit for operating the electromagnets comprises anessential feature of this invention. Y

A desirable feature of the invention is that a large tonal volume isobtainable, as well as a wide selection of volume and tone. Fivecomplete sets of reeds are provided, each set being co-extensive inrange with the keyboard. It is possible to play ve notes with each key,one from each of the sets of reeds, and this whether a single key isplayed or more than one are played. This is a decided advantage overprevious organs in which one key borrowed" from another key forincreased volume or number of notes. and, when the latter key wasplayed, it had, in some instances, no effect as its corresponding notewas already being sounded.

To add to the ve notes that can be played from one key, another featureof the invention makes it possible to play an additional five notes anoctave higher (or lower), making it possible to play ten notes with onekey. Likewise, it is possible to play as many as fifty notes with onehand.

The keyboard is divided into an upper and lower register, and eachregister is provided with a separate set of stops for selection of thenotes to be played. When like stops in the two registers are put intoeffect, the registers play in the respective sets of reeds in acontinuous range. For a different effect, different stops in the tworegisters may be actuated, in which case the registers can be played indifferent ranges, e. g., one combination can be set up for the lowerregister and this played as an accompaniment for a solo melody partplayed on the upper register. This allows an extensive range for eachhand approaching a two-manual effect with one actual manual. Anothereffect possible with this novel manual is that a two-manual ensemble canbe played on the upper register while the pedal eiect can be assimilatedon the lower register.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as thedescription of the invention proceeds.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a. vertical sectional view through the organ of myinvention;

Figure 2^is a view of the reed chest of the organ, taken on line 2-2 ofFigure l, but with the positions of the reeds and their valves andelectromagnets shown schematically;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the reed chest, as viewed from thefront, showing the relation of the reeds to the keys of the keyboard;

Figure 4 is a diagram of the circuit connecting the keys with theelectromagnets associated with the reeds;

Figures 5 and 6 are top and side views, respectively, of the keys,showing the manner of completing the circuit through the keys, and theswitching means operated by the keys;

Figure 'l is a plan view of the organ stops, i. e., switch levers forselecting the various reeds in playing;

Figure 8 is a view taken on line 8-8 of Figure '7 showing the stops orswitches;

Figure 9 is a view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 7 showing the full organ"stop or switch;

Figure 10 is a view of a valve for controlling the admission of wind toa reed. and the electromagnet for operating the valve;

Figure 11 is a view of a relay for controlling additionalelectromagnets;

Figure 12 is a view from the right of Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is a top view of a portion of the switch used with the relayof Figure 11.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the organ comprises a cabinet I,with a keyboard, indicated generally at 2, supported in the usualposition on a base 4 extending transversely of the cabinet and securedto the ends thereof. The individual keys 3 are supported at their innerends on a cross member 5 and are guided by pins 6 and 1. A strip 9provided with an inturned bead III is secured to the cross member 5 andserves to retain the keys from being lifted oi the pins 6. Springs IIbias the keys upwardly, the upward movement of the keys being limited bystops I2 secured in cross member I4 positioned above the keys. Thenumeral I5 indicates generally a switch which is provided for each key,part being carried by the key, and part by the cross member Il: thisswitch is opened and closed by movement of the key and will be referredto and described in detail later. A horizontal panel I 6 covers the rearportions of the keys, and above this panel is a vertical panel I1which'contains the various stops I8 for selection of the notes to beplayed. In this case the stops operate electric switches. Closing thecabinet is a cover I9. The panels I6 and I1 and the cover I are hingedto the cabinet to permit easy access to the interior of the organ.

Located in the rear portion of the organ between front panel 2l and rearpanel 2i is the reed chest 22. The reeds are wind-operated, and forproducing wind pressure any convenient type of blower 2l is provided inthe blower box 24 located beneath the reed chest. The blower is run byan electric motor 28 or other suitable means. An opening 25 communicatesbetween the blower box and the reed chest for the admission of the windfrom the blower to the reed chest.

The reeds are supported in panels 26 which extend transversely acrossthe reed chest and divide the chest into compartments 21 and 29. thecompartment 21 being sealed by the panels 26 which render it air-tight.The reeds, indicated by the reference numeral 30 are inserted in groovesin the sides of cells 3l formed in the panels 28, the cells beingindividual to the reeds. Strips 3l are inserted over the open ends ofthe cells between the reeds and the panels 26 to seal these portions ofthe cells and direct the wind through the reeds. Passages 32 in thepanels 25 admit wind pressure to the reeds for sounding them. Thepassages are opened and closed by valves 34 which are provided with feltsealing members 35 for sealing the passages 32. Each of the valves 34 iscontrolled by an individual electromagnet 36. 'Ihe electromagnets areconnected in circuit with and controlled by the keys of the keyboard.and, when they'are energized, they open the respective valves permittingthe wind from the compartment 21 to pass through the es 32 and sound thereeds. The details of construction and operation of the valves andelectromagnets will be referred to later. The chest is closed by a cover31 which may be provided with suitable mechanism for opening and closingit to control the volume. A tremulant fan 35 is preferably placed in thecompartment 25. This may be operated by any convenient small motor.

A plurality of relays 4l in the compartment 21 coact in the circuitbetween the keys and the eiectromagnets in the selection of theelectromagnets by the.keys in a manner to be described presently.

The keyboard has a range of five octaves. beginning and ending in C. orsixty-one keys, and, as shown in Figure 3, is divided into an upper andlower register, though the keys oi the two registers are of a continuousrange. The upper register contains thirty-two keys and the lowertwenty-nine. reeds, each set co-extensive in range and comparable inprogression of pitch with the keys of the keyboard. One complete set ofreeds is ernbodied in each of the panels 25. These sets are designatedin the drawings as BIS', CIS M8', Vl'. and F4'. These designations arecharacteristic terms concerning organs indicating that the tones aresimilar to respective pipe-organ tones, as bourdon sixteen feet, cellosixteen feet, melodia eight feet, viola eight feet, and flute four feet.

The division point between the registers of the keyboard is near thecenter, or between E and F as shown in Figure 3. Those keys in the upperregister are indicated by superscripts, as C1, C2, etc., running fromthe center up, and those in the lower register by subscripts, as Ci, Cz,etc., running from the center down.

Each of the keys is connected in circuit directly with one each of thefive separate sets of reeds, and certain of the keys are connectedlndirectly, or through relays, with ve additional reeds, one from eachof the separate sets. With reference to lFigure 3, take as an examplethe key C3, this key has a separate conductor leading to each of the C3reeds, i. e., to the C:l reed in each set. Figure 2 shows a view fromthe back of the reed chest, and, accordingly, CJ falls at the left end,and C: at the right. Similarly, the

l reeds to the left of the dividing line in Figure 2 include thirty-tworeeds of each set, which correspond to the number of keys in the upperregister, and the reeds to the right include twentynine, whichcorrespond to the number of keys in the lower register.

The dot-dash rectangles 38 shown in Figure 2 indicate diagrammaticaliythe positions of the There are five complete sets of various reeds andtheir individual valves and the electromagnets for operating the valves.This figure also shows' the lateral positions of the relays 40 inrelation to the reeds.

Reference may now-be had to Figure 4 showing the electric circuitconnecting the keys and the various reeds. This circuit shows only the Cnotes, but it will be understood that it is applied in a like manner tothe other note's. The numerals 35 indicate diagrammaticaliy theelectromagnets for operating the valves 34, indicated similarly inFigure 1. The electromagnets are associated with the sets of reeds asindicated, all in each horizontal row being associated with one set, asBIS', CIB', etc.

The source of current is the usual line 44, which leads to the rectifier45. From the rectifier, conductor leads to and is connected to each key3. On each key I is a contact bar 41 adapted, on playing of the key, tocontact simultaneously al1 of the wires 45B, 45C, 45M, 45V, 4QF andi49H.. Each of these wires, except 49B, leads to one of the variouselectromagnets- 3i. then through conductors B, 50C, 55M, 55V`and SBF,respectively, and switches 5|B, 5|C, 51M, 51V andi 5IF, respectively. toreturn conductor 52 and the rectifier, completing the circuit. Theswitches 5I are opened and closed by the respective stop levers Il.

In the description following, it will be understood that, when aparticular electromagnet is energized. it opens its associated valve andallows the wind pressure to sound the respective reed.

The selection of the notes to be played is accomplished as follows:Assume it is desired to play the bourdon set of reeds in the upperregister. The stop lever IBB in the upper register 0i.' stops is presseddown closing the switch 5IB, and, when the key C1 is pressed down, thebar 41 contacts all of the wires 49, but particularly wire 49B, closingthe circuit through the electromagnet 36B in the C1 group. The notesassociated with a particular key are arranged in a vertical tier withthat key, in Figure 4, and are herein designated a group," asdistinguished lfrom a set which refers to that series of notes disposedin a horizontal row and which are similar in range to the keyboard.These designations are applicable whether reference is to reeds, valves,or electromagnets. 'I'he circuit as thus closed is from conductor 45, tokey 3 and bar 41, conductor 48B, electromagnet IIB, conductor 50B,switch 5IB and conductor 52. If the key C'2 f is pressed, the circuit isclosed through similarly designated elements energizing theelectromagnet 35B in the C2 group. The arrangement is the same for allthe keys in that register, and, when the bourdon stop is pressed, all ofthe reeds in the bourdon set associated with the upper register are putin circuit.

A similar procedure is followed for the other sets of reeds. When thestop IBC is pressed and the key Cl played, the circuit is completed fromconductor 45, through key 3 and bar 41, to conductor 49C, toelectromagnet 35C in the C1v group, to conductor 50C, switch 5I C andconductor 52. This procedure is followed for the remainingelectromagnets, and, since the switches 5I are independently operable,it can be seen that the notes of the various sets can be selected, i.e., any or all.

The notes of any particular group are, of course, not duplicates; theymay be either of 'clifferent pitch or of different timbre, e. g., theBIB' and the CI5 are of the same pitch while the former assimilates awind note and the latter a string note.` The two 8 notes are one octavehigher than the I5 notes, while the 5' notes differ from one another intimbre,-and the 4 note is one octave higher than the .8 notes..

The lower register is put in circuit and played precisely as the upperregister.is.- The notes in each set, as BI5, CIB', etc., bengof acontinuous range, it follows that if corresponding stops are pressed inboth registers, thereis a continuous range across the keyboard as in asimple organ. It is likewise possible to-put one set in play for oneregister, and another for the other register, or any combinations foreither. Many effects are thus obtainable, as, for instance, a melody maybe played on the upper register with accompaniment of a different typeon the lower register. Also, a pedal effect may be produced by the lowerregister.

A full organ stop is indicated at 54. A

, bar 55 is secured to this stop, and pressing this stop actuates thebar 55 to close all of-the switches 5I, avoiding the necessity ofpressing the individual stops separately. When the stop 54 is actuated,al1 i'lve sets of notes .in both the upper and lower register are put inplay.

Another novel feature of the organ is thatvnpt i only will each key playve notes, but certain pf the keys will play five additional notes.Conduc f tor 45a leads from the rectifier to conductors' 55 associatedwith relays 40. Bars 51 connected to the armatures of the relays 40 arein-constant contact with conductors 55 and on energization of the relaysand actuation ofthe armatures the bars 51 come into contact also withconductors 59. The circuits through the relays are closed only when thecircuits through the stops and keys are closed. When the stops I8B andIBR are pressed and the key C1 played,-not only is the circuit closedthrough the electromagnet B of the C1 group, but also through the relay40 in line with that key; when theA key C1 is played, the bar 41 is incontact with the conductor 49B. and the circuit is closed from theconductor 45, through key C1, conductor 4BR, relay 40, conductor SDR,switch 5IR, to conductor 52. This circuit energizes the relay contactingthe bar 51 with the conductors 59 closing the circuit from conductor a,through conductors 55, bar 51, conductor 59B, electromagnet 35B in theC2 group, conductor B, switch 5IB, to return conductor 52. Thus, stopIBR in the upper register is the super octave stop. When this stop ispressed, the key C1 will play not only the note in the C1 group, butalso the note in the C2 group in the same set. This follows also for thecorresponding notes' in the other sets. When, for example, stop IBC ispressed and the C1 key played, the electromagnet 35C in the Cl group isenergized, the circuit being closed in the manner previously described;and, when the stop IBR, is pressed, the relay 40 is energized in themanner just described in connection with the electromagnet 35B. Thecircuit through the relay is thenffrom conductor 45a, conductors 55 andbar 51, conductor 59C to electromagnet 35C in the C2 group, returnconductor 50C, through switch 5IC to conductor 52. One key cannot playthe corresponding notes in the group an octave above its own groupunless the latter are also played, since the same switches 5I controlthe return conductors for both groups.

Obviously, there are no relays associated with keys of the uppermostoctave since the relays are for controlling the group of notes an octavehigher than those of the group of the particular key. When all of thenotes of the key C1 group are sounded and the stop ISR pressed, all ofthe notes in the C2 group will also be sounded, making it possible tosound as many as ten notes with one key. When both keys C1 and Cz areplayed, one group of notes will be duplicated in the progression,leaving fifteen notes sounded. It is possible to play as many as ftynotes with one hand, if the keys are not played in octaves, from whichit will be seen that great volume is attainable.

The procedure is the same with respect to the lower register, exceptthat the stop IBR in this register is a sub octave stop, i. e., it putsin circuit the electromagnets of the group one octave below the keyplayed. Similar to the upper register, there are no relays associatedwith the lowermost octave of the lower register since the relays` ofthis register are for ,controlling notes an octave lower than the keyswith which they .are associated.

Reference to Figure 2 will show the number and positions of the relays40 with respect to the reeds and electromagnets. Twenty relays 40 areshown in the upper register, one in line with each of the lower twentyelectromagnets 35, the uppermost octave, or twelve notes, being withoutcorresponding relays. The scheme is similar in thelower register, therebeing seventeen relays, one in line with each of the upper seventeenelectromagnets 35, leaving the lowermost octave, or welve notes withoutcorresponding relays.

In Figure 2, the relays 40 as Well as the electromagnets 35 are shownschematically in dotdash lines, those aligned vertically with oneanother being operable by the same key.

Figures `5 and 6 show in detail the preferred form of switch to `be usedon the keys. A rod 5I extends the length off. the keyboard and issecured by means of spaced brackets 52 to the cross member 9. This rodis connected to conductor 45 in the circuit of Figure 4. A flexibleconductor 54 soldered at 55 to the rod 5I leads to each of the keys andis electrically connected to the contact bar 41. Insulation blocks 55are secured to the cross member I4, one to a key. Conducting wires 49are clamped between insulation blocks 55 and the cross member I4, withone end extending out in proximity with the contact bar 41 and the otherend extending through the insulation block at 51. When the key ispressed down, the contact bar 41 comes into contact with the conductingwires 49, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6, completing the circuitthrough the switch. The wires 49 are ilex- 'ible, and this assures thatall o! them will be lever IBR is pivoted in the panel l1 on a wire beadextending across all the stops and'held in place by means of blocks 16.When the stop ls pressed down to the dotted line position, the inner end11 thereof forces the spring contacts 1l and 12 into contact with eachother. All of the spring contacts 1I are contacted by a common contactbar 19, at 80, the bar 19 being connected to the conductor 52 of Figure4. The ends of the spring contacts 12 are connected with respectiveconductors as described in connection with Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a view of the switch operated by the full organ stop. Aspring contact 8l is secured in each of the blocks 1D in contact withthe spring contact 12. Secured to the bar 55 is a spring lever 82 whichis actuated by the inner end of the stop lever 54. When the stop leveris pressed down to the dotted line position, the bar 55 is thrown intocontact with the spring contacts 6l of all the switches 5l. 84 connectsthe bar 55 with the common contact bar 19 completing the circuit throughthe contacts 6I of all of the switches,

The preferred form of electromagnet 36 ior operating the valvescontrolling the wind passages to the reeds is shown in Figure 10. Theelectromagnet comprises the usual winding 85 and core Il. The individualconductors 49 (and 59) oi Figure 4 are connected to the plate 81. Aresistor 69 inserted in parallel with each electromagnet serves the dualpurpose of preventing objectionable noises in the operation of theelectromagnet, and preventing corrosion of the contact points of theswitches. Both the winding and resistor are grounded to the plate 90,which serves also to support the electromagnet. One plate 99 is arrangedfor supporting those electromagnets of each set which correspond lto oneregister of the keyboard, and serves as a common ground therefor, andthe plates accordingly are connected to respective conductors 50 ofFigure 4. The positions of these plates 9U and the eoctromagnetssupported thereby is shown in Figure 2. This arrangement of supporting aplurality of electromagnets and valves on one plate lends simplicity andeconomy and aids in aligning the variousv valves accurately on thepanels 26. An armature in the form of a lever 9| is pivoted on the plate90 with the lower end curved to overlie the core 86. The valve 34 isglued to the lever 9|, and upon energization of the electromagnet, thelever 9| is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in the ligure, openingthe valve. The valve is normally held closed by a tension spring 92anchored between the upper end oi the lever 9| and a lug 94 struck upfrom the plate 90.

The relay 49 shown in Figure 11 embodies an electromagnet similar tothat shown in Figure 10. The individual conductors 49R lead from thekeys A conductor r to the plates 95, and all of the electromagnets inthe relays are grounded to the plate 96 which is connected to respectiveconductor SUR, oi Figure 4. These plates 96 are constructed and arrangedsimilarly to the plates 90, each serving as a support and ground for therelays of one register. Their arrangement is shown in Figure 2. Uponenergization of the electromagnet, the lever 91 is rotated.counterclockw'ise, drawing the block 99 to the left. The contact bar 51in the form of a wire loop secured to the block 99 surrounds the upperends of contact wires 56 and 59. T'hese contact wires are secured inplace between insulation blocks l0| and supporting member 102. The lowerends of the contact wires extend through the insulation blocks at |94.Tlie upper ends of the contact wires 56 are bent over and ree `main inconstant contact with the loop 51, and

the lower ends extending through the insulation block are soldered to arod which is connected with the conductor 46a of Figure 4. The contactwires 59 also extend through the insulation blocks and lead to therespective electromagnets as described in connection with Figure 4. Whenthe block 99 is drawn to the left, the loop 51 interconnects the wires56 and 59 completing the circuit through the relays for operatingelectromagnets as described in connection with Figure 4.

While I have shown a preferred form of the invention, it is to beunderstood that various changes in details and rearrangementsof partsmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope oi' the appendedclaims.

I claim:

l. In an electric organ, note sounding devices arranged in sets andgroups with the devices of each set of a range of pitches coextensivewith the range of the keyboard and the devices of each group ofdiii'erent tonal qualities, magnetically operated valves individual tothe respective devices controlling admission of Wind thereto, and meanscomprising set stop switches and key switches for selectively operatingthe valves of a selectedgroup and optionally operating the correspondingvalves of a. group an octave of the selected groupr responsive toactuation oi the key corresponding to the selected valve group, said setstop switches and key switches solely controlling selection andoperation of the valves.

2. In an electric organ, note sounding devices arranged in sets andgroups with the devices of each set oi' a range of pitches coextensivewith the range ofV the keyboard and the devices of each group ofdifferent tonal qualities, magnetically operated valves individual tothe respective devices controlling admission of wind thereto, meanscomprising set stop switches and key switches for selectively operatingthe valves of a selected group and optionally operating thecorresponding valves oi' a group an octave of the selected groupresponsive to actuation of the key corresponding to the selected valvegroup, said set stop switches and key switches solely controllingselection and operation of the valves, and 'a full organ stop switch forsimultaneously closing all of the set stop switches.

`3. In an electric reed organ, reeds arranged in sets and groups withthe reeds of each set of a range oi' pitches coextensive with the rangeof the keyboard and the reeds of each group of different tonalqualities. said groups respectively corresponding to the keys of thekeyboard, magnetically operated valves individual to the respectivereeds controlling admission of wind thereto. a set of relay switchesrespectively corresponding to the keys and connectedto the valves of thecorresponding groups of valves for operating the'latter, and meanscomprising set stop switches and key switches for selectively operatingthe valves of a selected group and optionally coupling to correspondingvalves of a group an octave of the selected group the relay switchcorresponding to' the key actuated, responsive to actuation of the keycorresponding to the selected valve group, said set stop switches andkey switches solely controlling selection and operation of the valves.

4. In an electric reed organ, reeds arranged in sets and groups with thereeds of each set of a range of pitches coextensive with the range ofthe keyboard and the reeds oi each group of different tonal qualities,valves individual to the respective reeds for admitting wind theretoeach comprising an actuating coil, a source of electric current, meanscomprising set stop switches individual to the coils of the respectivesets of valves each permanently connected to one side of all the valvecoils of the corresponding set and providing thesole means forconnecting all lof the coils of that set to one side of said source ofcurrent, key switches individual to the respective groups of valve coilseach comprising separate contact members respectively permanentlyconnected to the other side of the valve coils of the correspondinggroup and an additional contact member, a set of relay switches eachcomprising an actuating coil and separate contact members and a contactbar for bridging said contact members when said coil is energized, saidcontact bar being connected to one side of said source of current andsaid relay contact members being -respectively connected to said otherside of the coils of a group, one side oi each relay coil beingconnected to said additional contact of a key switch other than thatcorresponding to the group of valve coils to which the contacts of thatrelay switch are connected, and means comprising a relay set stop switchpermanently connected to the other side of all of the coils of said setof relay switches and providing the sole means for connecting them tothe otherA side of said current source, each of said key switchescomprising a contact bar for bridging the contact members oi that switchand connecting them to the other side of said current source uponactuation of the corresponding key.

5. In an electric reed organ, reeds arranged in sets and groups with thereeds of each set of a range of pitches coextensive with the range ofthe keyboard and the reeds of each group of different tonal qualities,valves individual to the respective reeds, electromagnets individual tothe respective valves for actuating them for admitting wind to saidreeds, conductors individual to the respective sets of electromagnetseach connected to one side of all of the electromagnets of thecorresponding set, each of said conductors having a set stop switchtherein and being otherwise uninterrupted, key switches corresponding tothe respective groups of electromagnets each having a contact memberindividual to each electromagnet of the .corresponding group and anadditional contact member, continuous conductors connecting the otherside of the respective electromagnets of each group to one of thecontact members of the corresponding key switch. a set of relaysrespectively associated with said groups of reeds each comprising anelectromagnet and a relay switch closed thereby, said relay switchcomprising contact members individually connected by continuousconductors to said other side of the valve electromagnets of thecorresponding group. a conductor connected to one side of all of saidrelay electromagnets having a stop switch therein and being otherwiseuninterrupted, and a continuous conductor connecting the other side ofthe respective relay electromagnets to said additional contact member ofa key switch representing an octave of the group of valve electromagnetscorresponding to that relay, said key switch comprising a contact barfor bridging all of the contact members thereof upon actuation of thekey.

6. In an electric reed organ. reeds arranged in sets and groups with thereeds of each set of a range of pitches coextensive with the range ofthe keyboard and the reeds of each group of diierent tonal qualities,valves individual to the respective reeds, electromagnets individual tothe respective valves for actuating them for admitting wind to saidreeds, conductors individual to the respective sets of electromagnetseach connected to one side of all of the electromagnets of thecorresponding set, each of said conductors having a set stop switchtherein and being otherwise uninterrupted, key switches corresponding tothe respective groups of electromagnets each having a contact memberindividual to each electromagnet of the corresponding group and anadditional contact member, continuous conductors connecting the otherside of the respective electromagnets of each group to one of thecontact members of the corresponding key switch, a set of relaysrespectively associated with said groups of reeds each comprising anelectromagnet and a relay switch closed thereby, said relay switchcomprising contact members individually connected by continuousconductors to said other side of the valve electromagnets of thecorresponding group, a conductor connected to one side of all of saidrelay electromagnets having a stop switch therein and being otherwiseuninterrupted, a continuous conductor connecting the other side of therespective relay electromagnets to said additional contact member of akey switch representing an octave of the group of valve electromagnetscorresponding to that relay, said key switch comprising a contact barfor bridging all of the contact members thereof upon actuation of thekey, and a full organ stop switch for closing the circuit through all ofsaid conductors of said sets of electromagnets.

'1. In an electric organ, a wind chest, reed panels closing one side ofsaid chest, sets of reeds respectively mounted on said panels, thelatter having passages from the wind chest to the respective reeds, acontinuous conducting supporting plate secured to each panel, valvemeans controlling said passages each comprising a valve member and anactuating electromagnet, the electromagnets of each set of valves beingsecured to the corresponding supporting plate with one side of the coilof each thereof connected to said plate, the latter supporting saidvalve means and accurately spacing and positioning them with respect tothe passages controlled by the valve members thereof while providing acommon conductor for the coils of all of the electromagnets of one set,said reeds being arranged in sets and groups with those of each set of arange of pitches coextensive with the range of the keyboard and those ofeach group of different tonal qualities, and means comprising saidsupporting plates and set stop switches and key switches for selectivelyoperating the valves of a selected group and optionally operating thecorresponding valves ot a group an octave o! the selected groupresponsive to actuation o! the key corresponding to the selected group,said set stop switches and key switches solely controlling selection andoperation o! the valves.

8. In an electric organ, a wind chest, reed Ipanels closing one side ofsaid chest, sets oi' reeds respectively mounted on said panels. thelatter having passages from the wind chest to the respective reeds, acontinuous conducting supporting plate secured to each panel, and valveviding a common conductor for the coils of all oi' the electromagnets o!one set.

SYLVAN K. KETTERMAN.

